Demonstrating Value blogshttps://demonstratingvalue.org/blog
enBusiness Performance Measurement: Why Measure more than Financials?https://demonstratingvalue.org/blogs/business-performance-measurement-why-measure-more-financials
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>The starting point for most social enterprises in measurement is to set up a bookkeeping system to track money in and money out. While financial bookkeeping and accounting are fundamental to running a business, it may also be useful to track other aspects of business performance early on to be able to make good operational and planning decisions.</p><p> </p><p>So if you're increasing profits, it can be useful to understand: What led to that? How you can do more of that? What decisions led to the improvement: targeted sales, marketing campaign, staff hire, new equipment investment (among other things)? Having a picture of the critical factors driving success, can help inform wise future investment decisions.Just looking at profit won't reveal this. </p><p> </p><p>Another reason for measuring other aspects of business performance is to motivate good performance. For some people within an enterprise, the overall financial picture might not be relevant, or it may not be clear how they influence it. So if you're somebody that is doing sales and marketing, you can be motivated by understanding what sales you are making and to specifically have measures around sales. </p><p> </p><p>Listed below are some things that you may want to know and show about business performance and suggestions on what to track. You can also find more about business performance measurement in the <a href="https://www.demonstratingvalue.org/tools-and-resources" target="_blank">Tools and Resources</a> section where you can filter tools there by topics including business performance.</p><p> </p><p><strong>We are attracting the customers we need to sustain and grow the business</strong><br /># customers<br />$ revenues generated by new customers<br />market share<br />average deal size</p><p> </p><p><strong>We are adequately satisfying customer needs </strong></p><p> % customers 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied'<br />% customers who recommend services<br /># times services redone or refunded<br /># complaints/kudos</p><p> </p><p><strong>We are developing enduring relationships with customers # or % returning customers</strong></p><p>% customers with a relationship &gt;x years<br />% willingness to reorder</p><p> </p><p><strong>We have effective marketing and sales </strong></p><p>sales pipeline/funnel indicators<br />marketing Return on Investment<br />customer acquisition cost<br />digital marketing analytics</p><p> </p><p><strong>We make the most of what we have production costs/inputs per unit</strong><br />revenue per unit<br />units produced<br />specific cost as % of total costs<br />% capacity utilization<br />% on- time deliveries<br />time to complete task<br />frequency of work stoppages<br />wastage</p><p> </p><p><strong>We have the right amount of inventory turnover</strong><br />cycle time<br />inventory levels <br />lost orders </p><p><br /><strong>We provide a consistent, high quality product / service </strong></p><p>quality ‘escapes’<br />#/% times service repeated<br />adherence to product/service quality standards<br /># complaints (or kudos) related to quality</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">blog type:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Issues &amp; Ideas</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">business performance</div></div></div>Thu, 20 Sep 2018 18:01:23 +0000Bryn Sadownik465 at https://demonstratingvalue.orgRate your data collectionhttps://demonstratingvalue.org/blogs/rate-your-data-collection
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" src="http://www.demonstratingvalue.org/sites/default/files/blog-images/green-thumbs-up-md.png" style="width: 50px; height: 55px; float: left; margin: 20px 10px;" /></p><p><img alt="" src="http://www.demonstratingvalue.org/sites/default/files/blog-images/red-thumbs-down-md.png" style="width: 50px; height: 55px; float: left; margin: 20px 10px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" />Being able to collect data is a key part of performance and impact measurement. (Collecting the right data, and using is effectively are the other parts). Like maitaining a building or car, streamlining, systematizing and maitaining data can save you a lot of time and money.</p><p> </p><p><strong>How would you rate your data collection? </strong></p><p> </p><p>Use a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is <strong>s<em>trongly disagree, </em></strong>and 5 is <em><strong>strongly agree</strong>. </em>Rate yourself on the following 7 questions:</p><p> </p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong><em>1. It is time consuming to pull out and summarize information every time we need it. </em></strong></p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><br /><strong><em>2. We have many different versions of the same files.</em></strong></p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"> </p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong><em>3. The data are ‘messy’. (e.g. inconsistent naming, many versions and locations, mysterious calculations, units, notes)</em></strong></p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><br /><strong><em>4. We don’t know what’s important so we keep everything.</em></strong></p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"> </p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><strong><em>5. We start systems for tracking but they are too onerous and we didn’t use them.</em></strong></p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><br /><strong><em>6. We know there are some things that could make our lives easier, but we don’t have time to figure it out. </em></strong></p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><br /><strong><em>7. We feel locked into using the systems we have because it would be too much work to change course.</em></strong></p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"> </p><p>If you have answered 4 or 5 on many of these questions, it is a good idea to devote time to improving your data collectionsystems at this time. Here are a few ideas how:</p><p><br /><strong><em>1. It is time consuming to pull out and summarize information every time we need it. </em></strong></p><p><br />Develop a Snapshot or a Dashboard that depicts the information that you need to see most often (see Measurement 101 Course). Then focus in on just data you need and improve how you are collecting, storing and summarizing it. Clean those files up. For instance, if they are Excel files, learn about and use the built in data functions. Add in a ‘summary sheet’ with indicators that are calculated automatically from the data.</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>2. We have many different versions of the same files.</strong></em></p><p> </p><p>If you are shy about deleting older copies introduce a folder called ‘archive’ or ‘working copy’. Put in all the older files in them except the current file version. If many people are working on the file, develop and follow conventions for how you edit information. Consider using something like Google Docs that can archive different versions easily and show you different people’s changes. E-mail directory locations rather then the files themselves so you do not have important versions sitting in your e-mail program.</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>3. The data are ‘messy’.</strong></em></p><p><br />Take some time to develop some rules and follow them! If you develop data with a lot of inconsistency, for instance in how names are used, or abbreviated, learn about and apply validation rules, including how to include drop down lists. If people are planning to do some analysis on the data, have them make a copy of the file, so that the main dataset is kept ‘clean’.</p><p><br /><strong><em>4. We don’t know what’s important so we keep everything.</em></strong></p><p> </p><p>This may be okay for a little while, but not forever. Archive files and folders if you cannot recycle!</p><p> </p><p><strong><em>5. We start systems for tracking but they are too onerous and we didn’t use them.</em></strong></p><p> </p><p>Choose and implement systems with the end-user’s perspective in mind. They should be included directly in any decision-making. Take the time to simplify your system, if possible. Successful tracking and measurement is typically built right into business process and systems.</p><p> </p><p><strong><em>6. We know there are some things that could make our lives easier, but we don’t have time to figure it out. </em></strong></p><p><br />If you have a hard time finding time, define a few projects that you can do when you have a window of time with less pressure. Remember that you are likely already spending a lot of time and effort trying to pull together data and information, so by systematically improving what you do, you can ultimately save time and resources.</p><p><br /><strong><em>7. We feel locked into using the systems we have because it would be too much work to change course</em></strong></p><p><br />You may not want to commit yourself to change, but it would be worthwhile to evaluate how well your needs are met and investigate the pros and cons (benefits and costs) of a new system. It can be helpful to connect with other people in similar situations to ‘piggy back’ on what they’ve learned. Many communities have meetup groups that discuss technology issues (like NetSquared). Web forums and case studies may also be helpful.<br /> </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">blog type:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Issues &amp; Ideas</div><div class="field-item odd">Tools</div></div></div>Tue, 21 Nov 2017 20:53:45 +0000Bryn Sadownik458 at https://demonstratingvalue.orgMaking the Case for Software Investmenthttps://demonstratingvalue.org/blogs/making-case-software-investment
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" src="http://www.demonstratingvalue.org/sites/default/files/blog-images/graph_0.JPG" style="width: 200px; height: 131px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; float: left; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;" />After a certain point, and perhaps dozens and even hundreds of versions of spreadsheets, there comes a time to contemplate whether there is an easier way to track data. You know that countless hours can be spent finding and making sense of data when it comes time for planning, budgeting, and in even day to day activities like sales. But it can be hard to understand the full costs involved in acquiring software and how they relate to your ability to save staff time (and put it to other uses), as well as improving your relationships that ultimately relate to you bottom line(s). </p><p> </p><p>Demonstrating Value has developed and posted <a href="http://www.demonstratingvalue.org/resources/calculate-roi-new-software" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=no,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=no,dependent=no'); return false;">a new workbook </a>that is designed to calculate a return on investment (ROI) for new software like a CRM (Customer Relationship Management system). Doing this can help you understand if a proposed purchase is worthwhile, and can help you make a case for investment to others. <br /><br />The calculator includes an example, which shows you a complete calculation. The user inputs basic assumptions as well as data about costs and savings, both upfront and into the future. It includes cost calculations for staff time involved in implementation and training.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">blog type:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Tools</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">CRM Systems</div></div></div>Thu, 04 May 2017 23:19:41 +0000Bryn Sadownik457 at https://demonstratingvalue.orgGraphic Design Tips for Snapshotshttps://demonstratingvalue.org/blogs/graphic-design-tips-snapshots
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" src="http://www.demonstratingvalue.org/sites/default/files/blog-images/artist.jpg" style="width: 75px; height: 75px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px; float: left;" />If you've learned about <a href="http://www.demonstratingvalue.org/snapshots" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=no,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=no,dependent=no'); return false;">Snapshots </a>and want to design one yourself, here are some design tips, borrowed from graphic designers, that will help you design a snapshot that is effective visually, and which will easily capture and hold the attention of others. </p><p> </p><p style="margin-left: 40px;">1. Keep it simple and uncluttered. </p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><br />2. Limit your colour choices. Use colours that ‘go together’ (colour harmony). Pick colour scheme based on your logo, or a key photo in the snapshot. (see below)</p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><br />3. Limit the number of fonts to 2. Use contrasting fonts and stay away from frilly fonts. Generally use serif for body, non-serif for heading.</p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><br />4. Use white space effectively.</p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><br />5. Use simple short text, keep it away from the edges.</p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><br />6. Use an invisible grid. (align sections and elements in the design)</p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><br />7. Use borders, shadows, contrast, complementary colours to draw special attention to something.</p><p style="margin-left: 40px;"><br />8. Use the right kind of figure/graph.</p><p><br />There are many great resources to learn more about design, and of course, turn to professional support to produce something polished.</p><p> </p><p><strong>More about colours</strong></p><p>It is really hard to match colours with your eye. It is better to find the code. If you don’t know it, you can use a program on the internet. For instance, you can upload an image to <a href="http://www.colorcodepicker.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=no,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=no,dependent=no'); return false;">www.colorcodepicker.com </a>and use the curser to move over your image to reveal the colour codes.</p><p><br />Once you have identified your colour(s) you can set the colour to them in your design program. If you want to learn about what additional colours may go well with this colour scheme, you can easily find this on-line with a program like: <a href="http://www.color-hex.com/ ">http://www.color-hex.com/ </a> These programs will show you what colours work well with this colour (shade and tint variations, complementary colours, etc.) and give you the code for those colours.</p><p><br />If you think you may print the snapshot out in black and white, print drafts out to see how they look. Sections that stand out in colour may not standout in black or white. Adjust one of the colour’s stint or shade to fix this.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">blog type:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Tools</div></div></div>Wed, 03 May 2017 20:55:03 +0000Bryn Sadownik454 at https://demonstratingvalue.orgImpact Measurement explained in 5 minuteshttps://demonstratingvalue.org/blogs/impact-measurement-explained-5-minutes
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" src="http://www.demonstratingvalue.org/sites/default/files/blog-images/Lecture-512.png" style="width: 90px; height: 90px; float: left; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" />Earlier this year, I was invited to lecture about impact measurement for a number of different social enterprise-related classes, both as part of academic programs and incubators. While I mostly stayed fairly practical, 'academic-lite', I thought it would be useful to give an overview of what the field of impact measurement looks like and the options and tools out there.</p><p> </p><p>I've frequently come across the statement that there can be a bewildering array of tools that makes impact measurement challenging to access and apply. I would agree that it can seem confusing. At a basic level though, they all identify, collect and use/show data that indicate that social value is created. They just differ in how deeply they go into the mechanics of how social impact occurs and finding evidence of meaningful impact that occurs years into the future, and which is often are traced to many different factors. </p><p> </p><p>Because impact measurement draws on different disciplines such as accounting, program evaluation, cost-benefit analysis and business performance management, there are a lot of terms out there that often are describing very similar things. This can be confusing. It is also hard to understand how much impact measurement is needed and how to go about doing it, especially when your attention and energy is focused on launching a new business. </p><p> </p><p>So, here is my attempt, in five minutes, to boil down impact measurement approaches into four methods of increasing complexity (with an option for financial valuation). As a social enterprise, I think it makes most sense to tackle what is less complex to do, especially when you first start out. It can also be really beneficial to set out an impact map to guide what you measure into the future. Leave evidence-based systems models to the experts! However, it can be quite useful to know what they are finding out from this research to show that what you do is relevant and matters. </p><p> </p><p><img alt="" src="http://www.demonstratingvalue.org/sites/default/files/blog-images/measuring%20impact.JPG" style="width: 450px; height: 245px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;" /></p><p> </p><p>1. Standards/ Certifications: Measurement that relates to whether specified practices have been adopted that advance a social or environmental mandate. (e.g. Fair trade, Organic…) It doesn’t measure or ‘prove’ the impact of that mandate. (e.g. Standard of living, ecosystem integrity, etc.)</p><p> </p><p>2. (Key) Performance Measures: Measurement tracks whether or not a social enterprise is meeting goals that relate to social / environmental mandate. This is fairly practical and often based on outputs or short-term outcomes.</p><p> </p><p>3. Impact Map + Indicators: Measurement is based on a theory of how the activities of the enterprise lead to social and environmental outcomes. These can vary in complexity and be called Logic Models or Theory of Change. Sometimes external factors are included and efforts made to exclude what would have happened anyway or be attributed to others.</p><p> </p><p>4. Evidence-based Models: Measurement is part of more complex models that look at impact as a system with many variables and feedbacks. These models are advanced and improved within academic disciplines. (e.g. Recidivism models, energy-economy models, etc.). This is not something done by a social enterprise, however it’s useful to look at published research and relate it to what you may do as a social enterprise.</p><p> </p><p>5. Financial Valuation: Additional methods may assign a financial value to indicators that do not have a direct market value. This is done by using a variety of economic valuation techniques. This enables the calculation of ratios. (e.g. Cost benefit analysis, Social Return on Investment, Expanded Value added statement)</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">blog type:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Issues &amp; Ideas</div></div></div>Wed, 03 May 2017 17:31:26 +0000Bryn Sadownik453 at https://demonstratingvalue.orgNew on-line learning about measurementhttps://demonstratingvalue.org/blogs/new-line-learning-about-measurement
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>The Social Enterprise Institute (SEI) provides short, on-demand eLearning on a variety of topics that address planning and operational needs of new and mature social enterprises alike. This includes aspects of planning, marketing, pricing, operation and more. Courses have clear learning objectives which are developed through practical activities, and each course is a great gateways for learning with clear direction on where to learn more. Five measurement courses, developed by Bryn Sadownik, have now been added to the Institute's <a href="https://www.socialenterpriseinstitute.ca/" target="_blank">website.</a></p><p> </p><p><strong>Measuring Business Performanc​e</strong></p><p>The starting point for every social enterprise in measurement is usually the financials: to set up an accounting system to track money in and money out. But extending measurement beyond this to include other aspects of business performance and organizational sustainability, can help you to uncover the ingredients of your success, how to better manage for future, and how to balance business success with your social impact. Through a number of activities, this course will help you to identify a set of indicators that you could apply in your social enterprise to do this and that relate specifically to sales and marketing, human resources, as well as to other aspects of your operations and to organizational sustainability. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Measurement 101</strong></p><p>Among competing management and planning priorities, it is not always easy to make time for improving systems to measure and communicate the success of the social enterprise. Yet having good measurement in place that relates to both your business performance and your impact can support sound operational decision making, long term planning, and enable you to tell your story effectively with evidence. Through the use of real-world examples and activities, this course covers the basic of determining what to collect, how to collect and how to use the information effectively.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Measuring Environmental Impact</strong></p><p>Through new products, services and ways of doing business, social enterprises are reducing negative environmental impacts and helping to create a more sustainable economy. Measuring and understanding this impact can inform good operational and strategic decisions and demonstrate the value of these new business models. Through a number of activities, this course will help you to clearly articulate and measure your impact, and guide you to indicators and tools already exist that can help you not start from scratch. </p><p> </p><p><strong>Better Data Management</strong></p><p>Data collection and management is an integral part of managing operations, whether it is in a business, non-profit or social enterprise. Working out how to do this effectively and efficiently, can ensure that you have the information on hand, when you need it, without headaches. This course focuses on how to improve data collection processes that you already have in place as well as how to critically evaluate and buy new systems, including calculating a return on investment. Through the use of examples and activities, you will be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses your current data processes and pinpoint ways that you can improve them.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Measuring Social Impact</strong></p><p>For social enterprises that have social justice or social inclusion mandates, it can be challenging to track your social impact in terms of how individual people’s lives are transformed. Many indicators and tools already exist that can help you not start from scratch. This course looks in some detail at those indicators and tools. Through a number of activities, you will be directed to what indicators and tools are most useful to your situation. It is particularly relevant to social enterprises that provide employment and economic opportunities to people who may be marginalized in society, or for example, provide products or services to an underserved community.</p><p> </p><p> </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">blog type:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Tools</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">learning</div><div class="field-item odd">measuring impact</div></div></div>Wed, 03 May 2017 16:50:24 +0000Bryn Sadownik452 at https://demonstratingvalue.orgShared Measurement: WISE Impact Map and Indicatorshttps://demonstratingvalue.org/blogs/shared-measurement-wise-impact-map-and-indicators
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" src="http://www.demonstratingvalue.org/sites/default/files/blog-images/people%20pointing.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 98px; float: left;" />In a recent blog, I described some work that Vancity Community Foundation had led to develop a societal cost calculator for work integration social enterprises (WISE) in Vancouver. Another aspect of the project, was to develop a shared impact map and indicators. While individual social enterprises within Vancouver differ in the goods and services they produce and the way in which they engage individuals who are marginalized, they are all working towards similar outcomes. An outcome is a term used in impact maps (logic models/theory of change) that describes the social change that occurs as a result of the strategies and activities of a social enterprise.</p><p> </p><p>Our challenge is to be able to capture these outcomes more formally and in consistent terms across different enterprises and in a way that could help to aggregate information for policy and planning. Social enterprise participants were involved in a facilitated workshop to develop a shared impact map (logic model). The impact map defines short, medium and long term outcomes. We then researched a set of indicators for each outcome based on one or more of the following six criteria:</p><ol><li>They draw on validated assessment tools that have been tested for reliability and validity, particularly in relation to the population and context.</li><li>They have been used in evaluations of employment and social support programs (and social enterprise where available).</li><li>They relate to indicators that have been defined at a planning and/or policy level for understanding community development and health inequity (for instance, by the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Coastal Health and other agencies where applicable).</li><li>They can be related to measures collected through the BC Social Enterprise Survey.</li><li>They are easy to collect and understand, and could be integrated easily into the operations of the enterprise.</li><li>They relate to academic research that have investigated the impact of supportive employment and/or social enterprise.</li></ol><p>The shared impact map is shown below. The indicators can be found <a href="http://www.demonstratingvalue.org/sites/default/files/basic-page-attachments/Indicators%20with%20voting.xlsx" target="_blank">here</a>, and the report can be downloaded <a href="http://www.demonstratingvalue.org/sites/default/files/basic-page-attachments/Impact%20Map%20and%20Measurement%20Framework.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p> </p><p>Hopefully this shared impact map and indicators lay a useful foundation to help focus future impact measurement efforts for WISE social enterprises. </p><p> </p><p><img alt="" src="http://www.demonstratingvalue.org/sites/default/files/basic-page-attachments/impact%20map.png" style="width: 602px; height: 260px;" /></p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">blog type:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Issues &amp; Ideas</div><div class="field-item odd">Tools</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">shared measurement</div><div class="field-item odd">employment</div><div class="field-item even">social enterprise</div></div></div>Mon, 06 Mar 2017 18:12:22 +0000Bryn Sadownik450 at https://demonstratingvalue.orgEvents on my radarhttps://demonstratingvalue.org/blogs/events-my-radar
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>There are some pretty interesting events coming up that relate to evaluation, measuring social impact and data visualizations. I would love to attend them all!</p><p> </p><p>January 9-14 (Claremont, California)<br /><strong>The Evaluators Institute</strong><br />A remarkable line-up of sessions relating to evaluation. <a href="http://demonstratingvalue.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=3721b1f840f4692ea57e65acf&amp;id=4b95f24273&amp;e=937d2cd0aa">More info</a><br /><br />January 11 (Manitoba)<br /><strong>Logic Models/Visual Planning</strong><br />Learn how to develop logic models. (Canadian Evaluation Society, Manitoba Chapter) <a href="http://demonstratingvalue.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3721b1f840f4692ea57e65acf&amp;id=03837d3b6f&amp;e=937d2cd0aa">More info</a><br /><br />January 11 – February 22 (Toronto)<br /><strong>Infographics and Data Visualization</strong><br />A short course at George Brown College. <a href="http://demonstratingvalue.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=3721b1f840f4692ea57e65acf&amp;id=eb79427cd9&amp;e=937d2cd0aa">More info</a><br /><br />January 12 (on-line webinar)<br /><strong>Measuring Impact: Early-Stage Evaluation of Your Collective Impact Initiative</strong><br />A look at tools and strategies, facilitated by Liz Weaver of the Tamarack Institute. <a href="http://demonstratingvalue.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3721b1f840f4692ea57e65acf&amp;id=2661412932&amp;e=937d2cd0aa">More info</a></p><p>January 16-19 (Toronto)<br /><strong>Essential Skills Series</strong><br />Course covering the basics of evaluation. (Canadian Evaluation Society, Ontario chapter) <a href="http://demonstratingvalue.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3721b1f840f4692ea57e65acf&amp;id=338c868360&amp;e=937d2cd0aa">More info</a><br /><br />January 25 (on-line webinar)<br /><strong>Making Your Story Matter More</strong><br />Reach your audience and convert them into champions (Tamarack Institute) <a href="http://demonstratingvalue.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3721b1f840f4692ea57e65acf&amp;id=cc8daeaa09&amp;e=937d2cd0aa">More info</a><br /><br />February 7-8 (London, UK)<br /><strong>Measuring Social Impact</strong><br />An intensive introduction to social impact measurement. (The School for Social Entrepreneurs) <a href="http://demonstratingvalue.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3721b1f840f4692ea57e65acf&amp;id=0ea674eb33&amp;e=937d2cd0aa">More info</a><br /><br />February 8 (Toronto)<br /><strong>Interviews &amp; Focus Groups</strong><br />Learn about what questions to ask and how. (Canadian Evaluation Society, Ontario Chapter). <a href="http://demonstratingvalue.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3721b1f840f4692ea57e65acf&amp;id=94ffc5ab7f&amp;e=937d2cd0aa">More info</a><br /><br />February 16 (Vancouver)<br /><strong>Introduction to Visual Analytics</strong><br />Vancouver Institute for Visual Analytics’ basic introduction to this subject. M<a href="http://demonstratingvalue.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=3721b1f840f4692ea57e65acf&amp;id=38ee5745af&amp;e=937d2cd0aa">ore info</a></p><p><br />February 22 (on-line webinar)<br /><strong>Innoweave Impact Accelerator</strong><br />This session helps groups think critically about impact. <a href="http://demonstratingvalue.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3721b1f840f4692ea57e65acf&amp;id=59e7f2afb0&amp;e=937d2cd0aa">More info</a></p><p> </p><p>February 23-24 (Vancouver)<br /><strong>From Theory to Practice</strong><br />Vancouver Institute for Visual Analytics’s more in-depth training. <a href="http://demonstratingvalue.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3721b1f840f4692ea57e65acf&amp;id=12da1cb993&amp;e=937d2cd0aa">More info</a></p><p> </p><p>March 8 (Toronto)<br /><strong>Surveys &amp; Questionnaires</strong><br />Design, analysis and data presentation. (Canadian Evaluation Society, Ontario Chapter) <a href="http://demonstratingvalue.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3721b1f840f4692ea57e65acf&amp;id=8671d04062&amp;e=937d2cd0aa">More info</a></p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">blog type:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Events</div></div></div>Tue, 10 Jan 2017 17:50:19 +0000Bryn Sadownik444 at https://demonstratingvalue.orgNew eLearning for Social Enterpriseshttps://demonstratingvalue.org/blogs/new-elearning-social-enterprises
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>The <strong><em>Social Enterprise Institute</em></strong> was launched last year to offer on-demand eLearning courses relating to different aspects of launching and strengthening social enterprises. It is geared to make it easier for people to learn about topics that specifically interest them, wherever they may be, and whenever they want. </p><p> </p><p>The Institute breaks out course offerings in terms of ‘Explore’, ‘Build’ and ‘Thrive.’ ‘Explore’ is populated with courses on a practical range of topics that are essential to planning. Fourteen courses are currently available including Opportunity Identification, Business Model Canvas, Financial Plan, and Legal Aspects.</p><p> </p><p>This year, courses in ‘Build’ and ‘Thrive’ will be added that provide instruction on topics relevant to social enterprises that have been launched, such as marketing, pricing strategies, and of course, measurement! To this end, I am currently developing four courses that will be available on the site: one on the basics of measurement - Measurement 101 – and others on more specialized topics such as approaches to measuring personal transformation, environmental sustainability, and strategies to address the headache of data collection. </p><p> </p><p>Stay tuned to this blog for details on when they area launched. In the meantime check out the great courses now available on the Social Enterprise Institute <a href="http://www.socialenterpriseinstitute.ca/" target="_blank">website.</a></p><p> </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-blog-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">blog type:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Tools</div></div></div>Tue, 03 Jan 2017 22:15:39 +0000Bryn Sadownik443 at https://demonstratingvalue.orgDemonstrating the Value of the Health Innovation Collaborativehttps://demonstratingvalue.org/blogs/demonstrating-value-health-innovation-collaborative
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" src="http://www.demonstratingvalue.org/sites/default/files/blog-images/puzzle%20people%20small.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 100px; float: left; margin: 4px;" />Seniors with complex and chronic health conditions face many challenges. Between 2012 and 2015, Green Shield Canada Foundation (GSCF) funded five health care organizations in the Toronto area to work collaboratively to address aspects of these challenges, investing more than $3 million in specific projects relating to information technology, training, and integrated home care. This was known as the 'Health Innovation Collaborative' (HIC). Over the three years, GSCF created many opportunities for the funded organizations to work together to share their knowledge, expertise, and resources. </p><p> </p><p>Many Canadians may know Green Shield Canada as a not-for-profit insurer specializing in individual and group health and dental plans. <a href="http://www.greenshield.ca/en-ca/about-gsc/giving-back" target="_blank">Green Shield's mission</a> is to create innovative solutions that improve access to better health, which they’ve done both through corporate initiatives and through their foundation. </p><p><br />In early 2014, I had the opportunities to meet Sarah Saso who is Managing Director, Social Innovation, at Green Shield Canada. She really liked what Demonstrating Value could do to help organizations understand and report on their impact/outcomes to all their stakeholders including funders. She also was very interested to see how Demonstrating Value could support the Health Innovation Collaborative. </p><p>I agreed to come to Toronto that May to meet with the HIC, and I facilitated a session in which particpants collaboratively designed preliminary snapshots for some of their programs. The HIC represented hospitals, a university/hospital-based research unit, primary care, and community organizations. Participants found the DV process and snapshot to be very compelling and useful, and as a result GSCF later engaged Vancity Community Foundation to work individually with each project to develop a snapshot, which I did along with Garth Yule at Junxion Strategy. The work complemented other activities taking place a part of the collaborative funding, including an evaluation led by Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC).</p><p> </p><p>It was truly and honour to work with the HIC, and I was very inspired by what they were all doing in working together to address different parts of the same puzzle. If you also want to be inspired by what they accomplished, check out these Snapshots!</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://assets.greenshield.ca/greenshield/About%20GSC/hic/BP%20Bridge%202%20health%20%20DV.pdf" target="_blank">Bridge2Health</a> - A guided, on-line resource that supports patients and families in managing the transition from health care facilities and the community. (Bridgepoint Active Healthcare)</p><p><a href="http://assets.greenshield.ca/greenshield/About%20GSC/hic/UHN%20DV.pdf">Health eConcierge</a> - Data standards to connect, update and search health information data across multiple service databases. (University Health Network)</p><p><a href="http://assets.greenshield.ca/greenshield/ALZ%20DV.pdf" target="_blank">Dementia Care Training</a> - On-line training for healthcare providers who care for people with dementia to understand and address the underlying causes of challinging behaviours, and to support the person and their family. (Alzheimer Society of Toronto)</p><p><a href="http://assets.greenshield.ca/greenshield/About%20GSC/hic/SPRINTDV.pdf">House Calls</a> - Interprofessional health care at home to those whose needs cannot be met by typical office based care due to medical, cognitive, and social frailty. (based at Sprint Senior Care)</p><p><a href="http://assets.greenshield.ca/greenshield/About%20GSC/hic/GEMINI%20DV.pdf" target="_blank">GEMINI project</a> - Automated data collection across multiple hospitals for quality improvement, clinical research and to improve care and scientific understanding. (Various partners)</p></div></div></div>Tue, 03 Jan 2017 17:58:17 +0000Bryn Sadownik441 at https://demonstratingvalue.org